Call Me Velora

By J y Lee

Seventeen-year-old Addison Li has a voice made for sold-out arenas, but her insecurities and crippling performance anxiety have kept her in the shadows. Her solution? Velora Manx.Armed with a colorful wig, oversized sunglasses, and a creative backstory, she performs as the singing sensation she's always wanted to be. It's the perfect mask until she meets Ryder, the magnetic new guy in her hometown of Portland, who becomes entangled with both the shy wallflower and the mysterious rock diva.Now, Addison must juggle a secret identity that's spiraling into comical chaos. Between her family's demanding restaurant business, a best friend pushing to "go big or go bust," and a life-changing opportunity to perform for millions-with the requirement she does so as her true self-the walls are closing in. To claim her future and save her heart, Addison has to decide: Can she pursue the opportunity she's always dreamed of, or will she give it all up for the "safe" path mapped by her family?With its humor, heart, and relatable exploration of teenage self-discovery, Call Me Velora will appeal to readers of character-driven YA fiction who enjoy stories about music, dual identities, and navigating the complexities of growing up as well as those who who want a feel-good rom-com-a vibrant "shy to shine" story about believing in yourself.For libraries: Call Me Velora would be a strong addition to library collections seeking inclusive, contemporary titles featuring Asian American protagonists.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1737998823
• ISBN13: 9781737998822
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Blue Lightning Press
• Length: 338 Pages
• Weight: 0.86 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 15 to 18 years
• Grade Range: Grade 10 to Postsecondary